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How Do Place-Based Scholarships Affect Student Borrowing and Academic Outcomes? Lessons from Atlanta

Carycruz Bueno et al.

Education Finance and Policy2026https://doi.org/10.1162/edfp.a.444article
ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Previous research shows that Achieve Atlanta’s place-based scholarship and associated services meaningfully improve college persistence and completion. In this follow up study that uses similar methods but additional and more detailed data, we examine whether scholarship recipients exhibit different student loan portfolios, course-taking patterns, or academic performance. Using regression analyses, we find that students in their first semester of college who receive the Achieve Atlanta scholarship and associated services are less likely to take out loans, borrow lower amounts, earn more credit hours, and attain higher GPAs. Additionally, we find no evidence that the place-based scholarship crowds out institutional aid. These effects are important in their own right and shed light on potential mechanisms that may drive earlier findings on college success.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1162/edfp.a.444

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@article{carycruz2026,
  title        = {{How Do Place-Based Scholarships Affect Student Borrowing and Academic Outcomes? Lessons from Atlanta}},
  author       = {Carycruz Bueno et al.},
  journal      = {Education Finance and Policy},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1162/edfp.a.444},
}

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How Do Place-Based Scholarships Affect Student Borrowing and Academic Outcomes? Lessons from Atlanta

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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